DEEP DIVE: Antonelli, Hulkenberg, Hadjar and now Sainz – which F1 2025 podium was the biggest surprise?

Formula 1’s 2025 season has already delivered thrilling battles, championship twists, and more than a few unexpected outcomes. Among the highlights, though, four podiums stand out as genuine surprises: Kimi Antonelli’s maiden top-three finish, Nico Hülkenberg’s long-awaited moment, Isack Hadjar’s breakthrough in the Dutch GP, and Carlos Sainz’s emotional podium for Williams in Baku. Each of these results carried its own storyline, significance, and shock factor — but which one deserves the title of the biggest surprise of the year?

Kimi Antonelli: The Teenager’s Arrival

When Mercedes promoted Kimi Antonelli to a full-time Formula 1 seat for 2025, expectations were already sky-high. Touted as one of the most promising junior drivers of his generation, Antonelli was seen as a future star. Few, however, expected him to reach the podium in his rookie season — and certainly not so early.

Antonelli delivered when it mattered most, combining composure under pressure with speed in tricky conditions to claim his first career podium at the Canadian GP. For a teenager to stand on the rostrum in just his debut season speaks volumes about his talent. While Mercedes’ form has been inconsistent this year, Antonelli showed he is capable of outperforming even more experienced rivals when the opportunity presents itself.

His podium wasn’t just a personal milestone — it also served as a reminder that Mercedes’ long-term gamble on youth may well pay off.

Nico Hülkenberg: Finally, a Podium at Last

If Antonelli’s podium was about a rapid arrival, Nico Hülkenberg’s was the opposite: the culmination of a career defined by near misses and endless perseverance. Hülkenberg had already broken the record for most race starts without a podium. For years, fans had jokingly — and sometimes cruelly — reminded him of the statistic.

That narrative finally ended this season, when the Kick Sauber driver delivered the drive of his life to secure third place in a chaotic British Grand Prix. The result sent shockwaves through the paddock: Kick Sauber, a team often confined to the lower midfield, were celebrating their first podium finish in years, while Hülkenberg finally banished the “never podium” tag.

For many fans, this was the most emotional moment of the season so far. Seeing Hülkenberg on the podium after over a decade of trying was proof that persistence pays off — and that Formula 1 can still produce feel-good stories.

Isack Hadjar: The First Podium and Racing Bulls’ Gamble

Isack Hadjar’s podium at the Dutch Grand Prix may go down as one of the most chaotic and memorable of 2025. The race was a rollercoaster of changing weather conditions, multiple safety cars, and constant strategy calls. In the midst of the chaos, the young Frenchman kept a cool head while others faltered.

Qualifying had already hinted at Hadjar’s pace, but few expected him to maintain it across such a demanding race. Yet he did — navigating treacherous conditions, keeping his Racing Bulls car out of the barriers, and capitalising when the frontrunners made mistakes. By the chequered flag, Hadjar was celebrating his first Formula 1 podium and Racing Bulls’ first in their current identity.

For a driver still finding his feet at the top level, this was a defining moment. It not only showcased Hadjar’s raw ability but also gave the Racing Bulls team one of their most significant results in years.

Carlos Sainz: Williams’ Long-Awaited Return

The Azerbaijan GP produced one of the most emotional moments of the season when Carlos Sainz took third place for Williams. For a team steeped in history but long absent from the sharp end of the grid, this podium was nothing short of monumental.

Sainz, who had been winless since leaving Ferrari, called it the “best podium of my career”, even above his victories. The reason was simple: the context. Williams hadn’t scored a full-race podium since Lance Stroll’s third in Baku back in 2017. For the team, this was vindication of years of rebuilding, investment, and perseverance.

For Sainz, it was also personal. After enduring months of difficult results and doubters questioning his move to Williams, he proved that he could still deliver on the biggest stage. His defensive driving and flawless racecraft in Baku earned not just a podium, but widespread respect.

Which Podium Was the Biggest Surprise?

So, which of these moments stands out as the most shocking or surprising of 2025?

• Antonelli’s podium was impressive, but Mercedes’ resources and his reputation made it feel like a matter of when, not if.

• Hülkenberg’s podium was the most long-awaited — over a decade in the making, finally ending one of F1’s most infamous records.

• Hadjar’s podium represented youthful resilience and opportunism in a chaotic race — exactly the kind of surprise that street circuits and unpredictable weather can produce.

• Sainz’s podium carried the greatest emotional weight for a team, marking Williams’ return to the rostrum after years in the wilderness.

If we’re measuring pure surprise, Hülkenberg probably takes the crown. Few expected Kick Sauber to deliver a podium in 2025 — let alone Hülkenberg, who for so long seemed destined to retire without ever stepping onto the rostrum. His podium was a shock, a relief, and a celebration rolled into one.

But in truth, all four podiums highlight why Formula 1 remains captivating. The sport may often be dominated by a few top teams, but every now and then, the unexpected happens — and those moments become the ones we remember.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 season has reminded fans that beyond the title fight, Formula 1 is still full of underdog stories. Antonelli, Hülkenberg, Hadjar, and Sainz all etched their names into the season’s narrative with podiums that few predicted back in March.

Whether it was a rookie proving his worth, a veteran breaking a curse, a junior thriving in chaos, or a historic team returning to glory, each podium carried its own flavour. And as the season continues, one question lingers: will we see yet another shock podium before the year is out?